Pfeffernüsse (German "Pepper-Nut" Christmas Cookies)

Ingredients

• 0.33 cups white sugar
• 0.25 cups packed brown sugar
• 0.25 cups honey
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.75 teaspoons ground ginger
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cardamom
• 0.25 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 0.25 teaspoons ground allspice
• 0.25 teaspoons ground cloves
• 0.13 teaspoons ground cayenne pepper
• 0.5 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 large egg , beaten
• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. 1

   Combine white and brown sugars in a saucepan with honey, water, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and cayenne pepper. Place over medium heat and whisk until the sugars dissolve and it just starts to simmer, 1 to 2 minutes. Immediately remove from the heat and let cool for 4 to 5 minutes.

2. 2

   Add salt, baking soda, heavy cream, and egg and whisk until thoroughly combined. Add flour and stir together with a wooden spoon until everything comes together as a dough.

3. 3

   Transfer dough to a piece of plastic wrap. Press into a ball and wrap tightly. Place in the refrigerator and let rest for 1 to 2 days.

4. 4

   When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

5. 5

   Remove dough from the refrigerator and scoop into rounded teaspoons. Roll each one into a smooth ball if desired, and place on a prepared baking sheet.

6. 6

   Bake in the center of the preheated oven until cookies are perfectly dome-shaped with light golden brown bottoms, 9 to 10 minutes; don't overbake. Let cool on the pan all the way down to room temperature, 20 to 30 minutes.

7. 7

   While the cookies are cooling, repeat Steps 5 and 6 to shape and bake the remaining cookies.

8. 8

   Make icing by placing powdered sugar in a bowl. Stir in lemon juice, a few teaspoons at a time, until icing is very thick, but still slightly runny.

9. 9

   Dip the top of each cooled cookie into the icing. Let it drip, then flip it over and place on a wire rack set over a piece of parchment paper and let harden.